Drag line bucket



May 19, 1959 D. B. BAYLl-:s 2,886,905

DRAG LINE BUCKET l Filed June 27. 195s 2 sheets-sheet 1 mnd o y MT5-7M' May 19, 1959 D. B. BAYLES DRAG LINE BUCKET Filed June 27, 1956 42 Sheets-Sheet 2 imliwh n ZPOZp .chinery andthe operator. dumping location where the bucket is tilted, open end operation. Vwhen the spilling occurs over an area previously cleared,

the drag-line. over the surface to be `cleared with the open end ofthe United States Patent O My invention relates to a drag line bucket having a hinged lid operated by the lines of the drag line majchinery which opens for scooping and dumping of the load and closes when the load is being carried to retain `the load `in the bucket.

Drag line buckets are used in conjunction with actuating machinery to scoop up a load, carry the load to` a desired location, and dump the load at this point. These buckets'have a forward open end and are dragged, by the drag line, over the surface being worked toward the -load they are to scoop up. After the bucket is filled it is lifted by the hoist line, which may be carried by a boom extending from a cab housing the actuating ma- The load is carried to the downward, to dump` the load.

Not infrequently portions of the load will spill out the open end of the bucket while the bucket is being carried to its dumping position. This occurs particularly when the load consists of bulky, irregularly shaped objects such as tree limbs or brush. Spilling also tends to occur when the bucket is filled to capacity during the scooping This condition is particularly troublesome requiring a reworking of the area.

In the present invention a hinged lid is provideicLwhich is connected to the drag line and operates in conjunction ing position. The lid is held open during the scooping and a bottom portion, the front end of the bucket through `which the load is received being open. `A lid is hingedly connected, at its rear edge, inside the bucket to the upper end of the rear portion so that the lid will swing between an open position, p cent the toptportion of the bucket, and a closed position `with the forward edge adjacent the bottom portion of 4the bucket.

`The hoist line is pivotally connected to the rear portion of the bucket to sustain the bucket in a tilted position, with the forward open end downward, when other forces are removed from the bucket. The drag line is connected to the forward edge of the hinged lid and tends to hold the lid in a generally horizontal plane when tension is applied to the drag line by the drag line actuating machinery. A tilt line drag line and at the other end to the forward end of the top portion of the bucket. The line passes over a pulley carried bythe hoist line above the bucket so that an upward vertical component of force is applied to the with the forward edge of the lid adjal .withthe tilting of the bucket, to hold the load securely 4 -in the bucket while the load is being carried to the dumpis connected at one end to the forward'end of the bucket when tension is applied to the drag line.

In operation the bucket is dragged toward the load by The bottom portion of the bucket slides `will effectively retain a load during carriage,

j bucket.

`a forward edge 18a, a rear edge edge, and stiifener 22 is welded the plate 18 at each of its side edges.`

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bucket toward the load to be scooped up. With tension on the drag line during the scooping operation the lid is sustained in the open position in a generally horizontal plane with its forward edge adjacent the top portion of the bucket. After the load is scooped up, the hoist line is raised, while tension is maintained on the drag line. Tension will also be applied to the tilt line, at this time, since the tilt line is connected to the drag line. With these forces applied, the bucket tilts so that theopen forward end faces upwardly. The tension maintained on the drag line retains the lid in a generally horizontal plane but since the bucket is tilted upwardly, the lid is in the closed position with its forward edge adjacent the bottom portion of the bucket. In this position the load is securely held in the bucket, and is carried to the dump position. When the bucket is suspended over the dump position, tension on the drag line is relaxed. This simultaneously releases the tension on the tilt line. Withthese forces relaxed and the bucket sustained only `by the hoist line, the bucket tilts with its open end downward, and the load is dumped. At this time the lid is in the open position. l

It is therefore a general object `of the present invention to provide a drag line bucket whichwwill securely retain the load until dumped. j

It is another object of the present invention to provide a drag line bucket which will securely carry the load without the need of separately controlled retaining devices.

It is still another object of the present invention'to provide Va. drag line bucket having a lid which is opened to receive the load, clamped on the load during carriage, and opened for dumping solely by the normal operation of the hoist and drag lines.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an easily manufactured drag line bucket which which is of simple construction adapted for use with; conventional drag line motive machinery, and which is easily'operated.

The novel features which l believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention, itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will bestbe understood by reference to the `following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: i

Figure l is a perspective view of the bucket of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the bucket of Figure l with parts broken away; t

Figure 3 is anelevational view of the bucket of Fig- Figures 4a, 4b and 4c are elevational views of the bucket of Figure 1 in the scooping operation, in the carrying operation, and the dumping operation, respectively; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a bucket incorporating a modified version of the present invention.

As shown in Figure l, the bucket of the present `invention has a top portion, shown generally at 10, alrear portion, shown generally at 12, and a bottom portion, shown generally at 14. The bucket has a swingable lid, shown generally at 16, hingedly connected inside' the The top portion 10 of the `bucket has a plate 18 having 18b (see Figure 3) -and side edges 18C. As shown in `Figure 2, stiener 20 is welded to the upper surface of the plate 18 at `.its forward to the upper surface of l Stifener, 24His welded parallel to the stifeners 22` in the center `of plate 1S. The side stiifeners 22 and the center stilfener 24 overhang the rear edge 18h of the plate 18, as shown in Figure 3. The stifeners may be made of square steel tubing. A fitting 26 iswelded to the upper surface of stiliener 2t) in a central position. The fitting 26 has a pair of spaced upstanding ears 26a, each of which has a hole. A pin 28 is received in the holes in the ears 26a and is held in position by cotter pins 28a received in the pin outboard of the ears as shown in Figure 2. The pin 28 receives the tilting line as hereinafter described.

The rear portion 12 of the bucket has a curved inner surface plate 32 as shown in Figure 3. The curved plate 32 is carried by a plurality of C-shaped plates 30 cut to receive the curved .surface plate 32. The C-shaped plates have an upper forwardly extending portion 30a, a vertical portion 3017, and a lower forwardly extending portion 30C. As shown best infFigure 3, the plates 3) are welded normal to the plate 32. A pair of the C-shaped plates 30.are welded adjacent each end of the plate 32, and a pair are welded in the center of plate 32, as shown best in Figure 2. Plates 33 are welded normal to the rear surface of plate 32 and extend between each of the pairs of C-shaped plates 30 to support the plates 30. The plates 30 of each pair are spaced from each other as shown in Figure 2. The ends of the stilfeners 22 which overhang the rear edge of the plate 18 are received between the spaced parallel plates 30 at their upper portion 30a as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The end of the center stiiener 24 is received between the center pair of spaced parallel plates 30 at their upper portion 30a. The stileners are connected by bolts 34a and nuts 34h to rigidly hold the top portion 10 to the rear portion 12. Each `of the pair of plates 30 adjacent the ends of curved plate 32 has holes to receive 'pins 36 and 38 as shown in Figure 2. The pins v36 and 38 receive cotter pins 36a and 38a, respectively, outboard ofthe plates to hold the pins in position. The center pair of plates 30 have holes to receive pin 38, which is also retained in position by cotter pins 38a. The pins 36 receive the hoist chains, and the pins 38 receive the lid chains, as herein-after described.

The bottom portion of `the bucket, shown generally at 14, consists of a plurality of tines 40 which are carried by the rear portion 12 and extend in a plane generally parallel to the top portion 10 of the bucket. Each tine 40 is received between a pair of parallel plates 30 at their lower portion 30e, as show-n in Figures 1 Iand 3. The tines are bolted in position between the plates 30 by bolts 34a and nuts 34h.

As shown in Figure 3, the swingable lid `consists of plate 42, having on its upper surface la stiffener 44 adjacent the front edge, stiifeners 46 adjacent the side edges, and `stiffener 48 adjacent the rear edge. The stifeners, which may be of steel tubing, are welded to the plate 42. Fittings S are welded to the rear stiffener 48 and each has a pair of spaced ears 50a extending rearwardly therefrom. Each ear has a hole receiving a pin 52, which is held in position in the fitting by cotter pin 52a extending through the pin outboard of the ears (see Figure 2). A fitting 50 is located adjacent each side of the plate 42 and at the center of the plate 42. The end links 54b of chain 54- are received on each of the pins 52 between the ears 50a of fittings 50. Three holes 53 are cut in the upper curved portion of plate 32, through which the chains 54 pass. The links 54a at the opposite ends of chains 54 are received on the pins 38 between the plates 30 in the rear portion of the bucket.

Fittings 56 (see Figure 3) are welded to the top surface of the front Vstitfener 44 of the lid adjacent each end. The fittings 56 each have a pair of spaced upstanding ears 56a with holes which receive a pin 58. The pins 58 receive the drag line chains. as hereinafter described.

With this construction, it can be seen that the lid 16 is swingable in relation to the other portions of the bucket. The lid can swing from an open position, where the forward edge of the lid is adjacent the forward edge of the top portion of the bucket, to a closed position, where the forward edge of the lid is adjacent the forward edge of the tines of the bottom portion of the bucket.

The actuating machinery, with which the bucket of the present invention is used, which may be conventional drag line motive machinery, is shown best in Figures 4a, 4b and 4c. A cab 60 is mounted on a tractor 62 which carries a boom 64. The boom carries the hoist line 66. The hoist line 66 consists of the portion 66a, connected at one end to the hoist Winch (not shown) and carrying at its other end pulley 70, and the pair of hoist chains 66b. The hoist chains 6611 are connected to the pulley 70 at one end and at their opposite ends are connected to the pins 36 in the rear portion of the bucket (see Figure 1). The chains 66b are separated by spreader bar 74.

The drag line 76 consists of a portion 76a connected at one end to the drag winch (not shown) and at the other end to fitting 78, and drag line chains 76b. Fitting 78 has a clevis portion 78a, which receives pin 80. The pin 80 receives the two drag line chains 7Gb and one end of the tilt line 86. The drag line chains 76h are connected at their opposite end to the two pins 58 on the upper surface of the lid 16. The tilt line 86 encircles the pulley 70 and is connected to the pin 28 in the upper surface of the top portion of the bucket.

Thus, it can be seen that when tension is applied to the drag line 76 in a generally horizontal direction the lid 16 of the bucket will be swung upward to a generally horizontal position. Since the tilt line is directly connected to the drag line 76, tension on the drag line will produce tension on the tilt line and will introduce a vertical component of force, which will tend to tilt the bucket with the front open end upward.

Figure 5 shows a modification of the swingable lid of the bucket. The lid 116, in this modification, consists of a plurality of chains 142. These chains pass through the holes 53 in the plate 32 and are received on the pinsl 38 on the rear portion of the bucket in a manner similar to chain 54 in the showing of Figure 2 and Figure 3. The forward ends of the chains 142 are connected to bar 144. The ends of the bar 144 are connected respectively to drag line chains 76b.

The operation of the present invention is best shown in Figures 4a, 4b and 4c. During the scooping operation, as shown in Figure 4a, tension is applied to the drag line 76. At this time, no tension is applied on the hoist line 66. The bottom portion of the bucket 14 lies on the surface to be worked with the forward open end ofthe bucket facing the tractor 62. The bucket is pulled forward in the direction of arrow A of Figure 4a and scoops up the load 88. With tension applied to the drag line 76, the lid 16 is in a generally horizontal position to assume its open position with its forward edge adjacent the forward edge of the top portion 18.

When the bucket is full, tension is applied to the hoist line 66 through the hoist winch to lift the bucket off the ground as shown in Figure 4b. At this time, tension is maintained in the drag line 76. Since the tension on the drag line also serves to put tension on the tilt line 86, thus creating a vertical component of force at the forward edge of the top portion of the bucket, the bucket will tilt with its forward edge upward, as shown in Figure 4b. It should be noted that the tilting line 86 must be connected to the bucket forward of its center of gravity when the bucket is in the generally horizontal position of Figure 4a. At this time, the lid 16 remains in a generally horizontal plane due to the tension on the drag line 76. With the bucket in this position, the lid 16 is in the closed position with its forward edge adjacent the forward edge ofthe bottom portion of the bucket 14. Thus, during the time the load is being carried, the load is securely held in the bucket by the lid 16.

When the bucket has been swung to the dump position, tension on the drag line 76 is relaxed. The hoist line 66 is pivotally connected to the bucket at a point rearward of its center of gravity when the bucket is in the gen, erally horizontal position of Figure 4a, and consequently the bucket will tilt forwardly, as shown in Figure 4c, with its open forward end down. With the bucket in this position, the load will be dumped to the ground.

While `I have shown and described a specific embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood that numerous modifications and alternative constructions may be made without departing from its true spirit and scope. I` therefore intend, by the appended claims, to cover all such modifications and alternative constructions `a`s fall within their true spirit and scope.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A drag line bucket for scooping up from a surface, carrying, and dumping a load for use with actuating machinery having a hoist line, a drag line, and a tilt line, the latter connected at one end to the drag line and having its other end over sustaining means above the bucket, the bucket comprising: a bottom portion having a forward edge and a rear edge adapted to slide forwardly along the surface and scoop up a load; a top portion having a rear edge and a forward edge and means to receive said other end of said tilt line, said means positioned on the top portion forward of the center of gravity of the bucket when the bottom portion is in a generally horizontal plane; a rear portion connected between the rear edge of the top portion and the rear edge of the bottom portion to sustain these portions in spaced relationship and define an opening at their forward edges, the rear portion having means to receive the hoist line, said means positioned on the rear portion rearward of the center of gravity of the bucket when the bottom portion is in a generally horizontal plane; a lid swingably connected at its rear edge inside the bucket and connected at its forward edge to the drag line, the lid being swingable between an open position where the front edge of the lid is spaced from the bottom portion of the bucket to permit passage of the load and a closed position where the forward edge is adjacent the bottom portion of the bucket to retain the load in the bucket.

2. A drag line bucket and connecting lines therefore for scooping up from a surface, carrying, and dumping a load for use with actuating machinery having a hoist winch, a drag winch, and an overhead boom comprising in combination: a bucket having an open forward end, a rear portion opposite the open end, a top portion, and a bottom portion adapted to slide forwardly along the surface and scoop up a load; a hoist line pivotally connected at one end to the rear portion of the bucket rearward of the center of gravity of the bucket when the bottom portion of the bucket is substantially horizontal, the hoist line passing over the boom and connected at the other end to the hoist winch; a tilt line connected at one end to the top portion of the bucket forward f of the center of gravity of the bucket when the bottom portion of the bucket is substantially horizontal; means carried on the hoist line above the bucket to sustain the tilt line; a lid swingably connected at its rear edge inside the bucket adjacent the juncture of the rear portion and top portion of the bucket and pivotal between a closed position with the forward edge lowered in relation to the `bottom surface of the bucket to retain the load in the bucket and an open position with the forward edge raised in relation to the bottom surface of the bucket to clear the load; and a drag line connected at one end to the drag winch and at the other end to the forward edge of the lid and connected to the other end of the tilt line.

3. A drag line bucket and operating lines therefore for scooping up from a surface, carrying, and dumping a load for use with actuating machinery spaced horizontally from the bucket and having a boom extending over said bucket comprising in combination: a bucket having an opening at one end; a lid swingably connected at one end to the bucket and swingable in relation toithe bucketbetween an open position and a position to hold material within the contines of the bucket; a drag line connected between the lid and the actuatingmachinery whereby the lid is sustained in a substantiallyhorizontal position when tension is applied to the drag line by the actuating ma` chinery; a hoist line passing over the boom connected at one end to the actuating machinery and connected at the other end to the bucket to sustain the bucket with its opening tilted downward when the bucket islifted solely -by the hoist line; a tiltline sustained above the bucket by the boom through the hoist line connected at one end to the drag line between the lid and the actuating machinery and at the other end to the bucket whereby the bucket is tilted with the open end upward when tension is applied simultaneously to the drag line and hoist line by the actuating machinery and the bucket is tilted with the open end downward when the tension on the drag line is relaxed.

4. A drag line bucket and operating lines therefore for scooping up from a surface, carrying, and dumping a load for use with actuating machinery spaced horizontally from the bucket and having a boom extending over said bucket, comprising in combination: a bucket having an opening at one end; a lid swingably connected at one end to the bucket and swingable in relation to the bucket between an open position and a position to hold material within the contines of the bucket; a drag line connected between the lid and the actuating machinery whereby the lid is sustained in a substantially horizontal position when tension is applied to the drag line by the actuating machinery; a hoist line passing over the boom connected at one end to the actuating machinery and connected at the other end to the bucket to sustain the 4bucket with its opening tilted downward when the bucket is lifted solely by the hoist line; and means connected to the bucket to partially lift and tilt the same with the open end upward in response to application of tension to the drag line when the bucket is sustained by the hoist line and said means above the surface.

5. A drag line bucket and operating lines therefore for scooping up from a surface, carrying, and dumping a load for use with actuating machinery having load lifting means and load dragging means comprising in combination: a bucket having an opening at one end; a lid swingably connected at one end to the bucket and swingable in relation to the bucket between an open position and a position to hold material within the confines of the bucket; a drag line connected between the lid and the load dragging means whereby the lid is sustained in a substantially horizontal position when the load dragging means is actuated; a hoist line connected at one end to the load lifting means and connected at the other end to the bucket to sustain the bucket with its opening tilted downward when the bucket is lifted solely by the hoist line; and means connected to the bucket and operable in response to the simultaneous actuation of the load lifting means and load dragging means to partially lift and tilt the bucket with the open end upward as the ybucket is raised above the surface.

6. In a drag mechanism having a drag cable and a lifting cable: a body member connected at its forward end to said drag cable; a fork-like member pivoted to the body member at its trailing end, said fork-like member being provided with a fork actuating lever portion extending forwardly over the body member and a lower material gathering portion extending forwardly under the body member; said lifting cable being adapted to lift said fork-like member and the body member; and a fork actuating cable connected to the leading end of the lever portion, said actuating cable extending over a pulley carried by the lifting cable above the body member and being connected to the drag cable at a point spaced forwardly from the body member.

7. In a drag mechanism having a drag cable and a lever portion, to a gripping position n which material is gripped between said body member and said lower portion when the fork-like member and the body member are lifted and tension is maintained in the drag lineA References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,579,945 Kelly Apr. 6, 1926 2,338,831 Whitcomb et al. Ian. 11, 1944 2,609,621 Babin Sept. 9, 1952` 

